Chinese cycling clothes

[amacal1]

At least we're sophisticated, discerning consumers buying the *best* of the Chinese products direct from AliExpress.

Not like everyone else who just buys Rockbros off of Amazon because they don't know better. I mean, not that Rockbros is bad. In fact, Rockbros is usually better than whatever I buy. But at least it doesn't have a giant "ROCKBROS" logo across the top.

[shoushou]

Same here. I don't get it... They would sell more, just by doing less...
I messages Inbike about it. They said they would keep it in mind for the future.

The Darevie bibs don’t all have logos or slogans.
This one does have their own chamois, which is a bit less fondly than their Elastic Interface one but still nice.
Same Korean Lycra but without outer seams.

I just found this on AliExpress: C$95.61 | DAREVIE Men's Cycling Bretelle Seamless 2.0 PRO Level Men Cycling Shorts 6H 500KM Ride Men's Cycling Bib Shorts 4-Way Stretch
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOyW3Bx

[bremerradkurier]

If you fail to keep the rubber side down, you're out for maybe  $100 for your Chinese kit, while crash test dummies flexing on the poors in Assos or Rapha could be looking at $1000.

[Pedaldancer]

The Darevie bibs don’t all have logos or slogans.
This one does have their own chamois, which is a bit less fondly than their Elastic Interface one but still nice.
Same Korean Lycra but without outer seams.

I just found this on AliExpress: C$95.61 | DAREVIE Men's Cycling Bretelle Seamless 2.0 PRO Level Men Cycling Shorts 6H 500KM Ride Men's Cycling Bib Shorts 4-Way Stretch
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOyW3Bx

The Lycra fabric from these is slightly thinner than the ones with the rainbow Darevie printing on the side and the Paris elastic interface pad and the leg is shorter. I prefer them when it's getting very hot.

I have both styles... and i totally agree that the Darevie pad is also fine.

[TidyDinosaur]

The Lycra fabric from these is slightly thinner than the ones with the rainbow Darevie printing on the side and the Paris elastic interface pad and the leg is shorter. I prefer them when it's getting very hot.

I have both styles... and i totally agree that the Darevie pad is also fine.

Yes, I also have 2 of these and the leg is comically short. I only use them Indoor. They are great for that though.

[jgumsrave]

After trying a few different bibs from Ali, I took a punt on these ones from Liteskin: aliexpress.com/item/1005005419167059.html

I'm 176cm and 55-60kg. I used to buy Castelli in S. I chose sizes based on reviews and the sizing charts.

My experiences so far have been:

Darevie - aliexpress.com/item/1005005057467316.html
Tried these in medium. Not compressive enough for my spindly legs. Then I got a small pair which ride up too high. I also had some issues with curling at the leg openings. I can see why people like them, but they didn't work so well for me. I gave the M to a friend and use the S under shorts or on the trainer.

Spexcel - aliexpress.com/item/1005007174629987.html
Tried these in XS. At first, I liked the fabric and leg length and thought they were great, but the black pad is massive and sits really high up my backside so it didn't support me in an aggressive position. The fabric has also come apart at the seams, but that might be because they're so small and tight. Like others, I've had some other issues with customer service and quality fade (jerseys) with Spexcel, so I won't try them again.

Pimmer PNS copies - the original link is gone now (hah, I wonder why) but they are like these: aliexpress.com/item/1005009523096669.html
I'm not into counterfeits and asked for them to have no logo. They arrived with big PNS and Mechanism logos. Like the Spexcel, the fabrics and cut are great but they have that same black pad and it doesn't work for me. If you told me these were made by the same factory that produces Spexcel I would believe you.

Cheji - aliexpress.com/item/1005006397620173.html
Tried these in M. The red pad and fabrics are great. They are slightly short and loose in the leg but nothing too problematic. They were my favourites until I tried the next one from Cheji...

Cheji - aliexpress.com/item/1005009519244192.html
Tried these in S since the M were slightly loose. I got the one with the Elastic Interface pad and it came with hang tags and a little label on the shorts themselves so they seem to be legit (although Cheji isn't listed on the EI website as a brand that officially uses the pads). I also got them with no logo. These are the best so far and probably my favourite bibs ever. They are nice and compressive, don't ride up, the pad is thin and sits just right. If I had to nitpick I would make the straps and legs slightly longer to fit my lanky body but they are just fine as is. They've just increased the price sadly but I think they're still worth it and I'm looking to buy another one or two in the 11/11 sale.

Now on to the Liteskin...

Liteskin - aliexpress.com/item/1005005419167059.html
Tried these in M, as per the sizing chart. Took a punt on these even though there were no reviews since they claim to have MITI bands and an EI pad. However, that was false advertising and the actual product didn't look much like the listing. The pad seemed fake to me and was very soft, the straps were not like the picture and the fabric wasn't what was advertised. I sent the following images and received a full refund. Avoid!
https://mega.nz/file/v8IVjbYb#LDWxaDK2P64BAuyJq2F-JcYksDbhyxynrpqUYqzkziI
https://mega.nz/file/So4jSZ7Z#bnogsPlxk5VKaHCoj3V8c8jcTQzwYuuiiE1yd8qNsLg
https://mega.nz/file/X95TURrZ#i_WN5swUz_2J3qtasFMaY0wliJbikX0Lcm6ZpsPz73E

[ediryppah]

For others who’re interested in winter gear, I can officially recommend these Cheji thermal bibs now: https://a.aliexpress.com/_Euh3swo

I’m 87 kg, 185 cm and got 3XL based on the sizing recommendation. In hindsight, 2XL would have been better. The length is good, but maybe not as compressive/tight around thighs and belly as I had hoped. It does work though and I gotta say the red pad is really nice. I had one of those experiences where I did a 2h ride and never noticed anything to do with saddle comfort.

The fleece is just right for I’d say 3-12 degrees C, but this varies. My father would probably say these are good for 10-15. I think I could ride these in a few degrees freezing if I had warmer feet, hands and neck.

[Jeager]

Only the small/biggest size available unfortunaly
Gonna check previous posts for winter stuff !

[raisinberry777]

Only the small/biggest size available unfortunaly
Gonna check previous posts for winter stuff !

The Inbike winter tights are my my pick for tights. For jersey I have a YKYWBike thermal long sleeve and it's alright, the pockets are small though - I'm sure there is better options out there.

[kubackje]

The Inbike winter tights are my my pick for tights. For jersey I have a YKYWBike thermal long sleeve and it's alright, the pockets are small though - I'm sure there is better options out there.

Inbike is great + half the price + cargo pockets which I love

[sbellote]

There really aren't many options with long thighs, I think that's the main point where chinese bibs are still lacking
but try taking a look at the Lameda Starlight, I've posted about them some time ago, maybe worth searching this topic
I have a number of bibs from Ykyw, Darevie, Spexcel, and this Lameda is the longest thigh/inseam, while also really high quality overall - fabric, pad, finishing, everything
it's a bit more expensive than most these other brands, but during sales it's worth checking out

I'm 176cm and 55-60kg. I used to buy Castelli in S. I chose sizes based on reviews and the sizing charts.
(...)
Not compressive enough for my spindly legs. Then I got a small pair which ride up too high. I also had some issues with curling at the leg openings.

[frenzen]

There really aren't many options with long thighs, I think that's the main point where chinese bibs are still lacking
but try taking a look at the Lameda Starlight, I've posted about them some time ago, maybe worth searching this topic
I have a number of bibs from Ykyw, Darevie, Spexcel, and this Lameda is the longest thigh/inseam, while also really high quality overall - fabric, pad, finishing, everything
it's a bit more expensive than most these other brands, but during sales it's worth checking out

do you have any recommendations for long distance riding? I am talking about like 10 hours +, or just better off buying the real brands? I plan on doing weeks worth of long distance bikepacking with 10 hours + daily. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

[Tijoe]

do you have any recommendations for long distance riding? I am talking about like 10 hours +, or just better off buying the real brands? I plan on doing weeks worth of long distance bikepacking with 10 hours + daily. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

I rode 4, bike camping/bikepacking rides this year ranging from 3 days to 7 days, riding 8 to 12 hours per day.  I have 9 pairs of shorts that I have purchased from Aliexpress over the past 4 years.  4 pairs of GRSRXX, 3 pairs of DAREVIE,  and 2 pairs of YKYWBIKE.   

For these long rides, I typically just grab 2 pairs of these shorts randomly and use them on these trips.    All of them have performed well regarding how the chamois contacts my sit-spots.   Except...

Two of these shorts cause sore raw spots on the right side seam where the chamois is sewn into the Lycra.   It took a while, but I have finally isolated one of 2 pairs of pain causing shorts. (One of my DAREVIE shorts.)  When I inspect the sewn seam area that creates the abraded skin area, I can't, for the life of me, see anything that causes the problem. - On 4 to 8 hour rides, they don't cause any issues.

The other variable that is by far more important to me is where I am riding, versus the shorts I wear.

I live in the Pacific northwest, and the humidity is low.  In this region of the US, I seldom, if ever, use chamois/butt butter/creams, and my bottom has no issues.

OTOH, For every ride I have ridden in the past several years on the east side of the country,  I discovered that the high humidity in our eastern states, and Ontario Province, CA,  makes it necessary to use chamois creams and antiseptic gels from when the ride starts, to when I finish.  If I don't do this, I get saddle sores on my sit spots within 2 days of riding.
   
For me, on my eastern state US rides, its not the shorts I wear, its the humidity, the mosquitoes, no-see-ums / biting midges, gnats, and the Deer flies that get me.

[frenzen]

I rode 4, bike camping/bikepacking rides this year ranging from 3 days to 7 days, riding 8 to 12 hours per day.  I have 9 pairs of shorts that I have purchased from Aliexpress over the past 4 years.  4 pairs of GRSRXX, 3 pairs of DAREVIE,  and 2 pairs of YKYWBIKE.   

For these long rides, I typically just grab 2 pairs of these shorts randomly and use them on these trips.    All of them have performed well regarding how the chamois contacts my sit-spots.   Except...

Two of these shorts cause sore raw spots on the right side seam where the chamois is sewn into the Lycra.   It took a while, but I have finally isolated one of 2 pairs of pain causing shorts. (One of my DAREVIE shorts.)  When I inspect the sewn seam area that creates the abraded skin area, I can't, for the life of me, see anything that causes the problem. - On 4 to 8 hour rides, they don't cause any issues.

The other variable that is by far more important to me is where I am riding, versus the shorts I wear.

I live in the Pacific northwest, and the humidity is low.  In this region of the US, I seldom, if ever, use chamois/butt butter/creams, and my bottom has no issues.

OTOH, For every ride I have ridden in the past several years on the east side of the country,  I discovered that the high humidity in our eastern states, and Ontario Province, CA,  makes it necessary to use chamois creams and antiseptic gels from when the ride starts, to when I finish.  If I don't do this, I get saddle sores on my sit spots within 2 days of riding.
   
For me, on my eastern state US rides, its not the shorts I wear, its the humidity, the mosquitoes, no-see-ums / biting midges, gnats, and the Deer flies that get me.

Great advice, yeah when I sweat a lot, it becomes a whole another problem and I bike in the east coast only.

[Schlossair]

I tried the cheji bibs and must say I am not as impressed as other people here on the red chamois. After 2 hours I do not find them as comfortable as the elastic interface I have on my YKYWB bibs. Going to have to try the ones with elastic interface chamois from Cheji and size up to XL as the L was too short for my legs as well. 86cm inseam.